Frost at 40: 1998 vs. USD

Editor's Note: Throughout the 2012-13 athletics season, Jackrabbit Athletics will spotlight 40 of the top moments in the 40-year history of Frost Arena. This week's segment focuses on the 1998 regular season men's basketball matchup between South Dakota State and South Dakota.

MEN'S BASKETBALL: SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 100, SOUTH DAKOTA 76With the South Dakota State University men's basketball team
well on its way to a third-consecutive North Central Conference title, the
Jackrabbits turned in dominant performance over in-state rival South Dakota en
route to a 100-76 victory before a packed house of 9,052 fans at Frost Arena on
Feb. 20, 1998.

Six different Jackabbit players scored in double figures as
SDSU improved to 23-1 overall and 14-1 in the NCC. USD dropped to 16-8 overall,
7-8 in league play.

SDSU never trailed in the contest, breaking a 2-all tie with
a 13-2 run to build a double-digit lead in the first three minutes of the game.
Moments later, the Jackrabbits put together another 13-2 outburst to lead 30-11
with 12 minutes to play in the first half.

On the strength of 58 percent shooting from the field in the
opening 20 minutes, the Jackrabbits continued to build their lead, hitting the
high-water mark of 29 points, in the final minute of the first half before
taking a 55-27 lead into intermission.

The Jackrabbits prevented USD from making any sort of run in
the second half. SDSU's largest lead of the night reached 33 points on two free
throws by Brian Norberg with 8:49 to play.

Kurt Meister led the Jackrabbits with 21 points on 9-of-12
shooting from the field and added nine rebounds. Casey Estling scored 15
points, while Casey Walker added 13 points off the bench. Norberg posted a
double-double with 11 points and 10 assists, while Matt Wallace and Turk Watson
each scored 10 points.

SDSU finished a perfect 20-for-20 at the free throw line,
while cooling slightly from the field in the second half to end the night 38-of-74, 51.4 percent. The Jackrabbits were 4-for-9 from three-point range.
SDSU was credited with 30 assists on its 38 baskets and held a 46-36 rebounding
advantage.

The Coyotes received game-high performances of 24 points and
13 rebounds by Chuck Welke. Nathan Blessen and Nate Tibbetts also reached
double figures with 13 and 11 points, respectively. USD finished 26-of-70 from
the field, 37.1 percent, including 11-for-34 from long range. The Coyotes made
13-of-16 free throw attempts for 81.3 percent.